Tag: NFL football

Doug Pederson names Jaguars interim RB coach after Jerry Mack’s exit

Doug Pederson names Jaguars interim RB coach after Jerry Mack’s exit

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson revealed Monday that assistant wide receivers coach, Tyler Tettleton, will serve as Jacksonville’s primary interim running backs coach after Jerry Mack left the team to become Kennesaw State’s head coach this week.

Kennesaw State announced it had hired Mack as the program’s next head coach during Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. Mack remained with the Jaguars through the final whistle but began his new role with the Owls on Tuesday.

“Tyler Tettleton, who’s been in that room before, we’re going to just sort of give him some running back responsibilities,” Pederson said. “He’s coached them a little bit on the side the last couple of years. Been in that room, understands what we’re doing offensively.

“So, we’ll spread it out a little bit, but Tyler will be the main focal point there.”

Jaguars offensive quality control assistant Jamel Mutunga will assist Tettleton in the role, per Pederson.

Tettleton joined Jacksonville’s coaching staff in March 2022, leaving on-field, running back coaching and pass-game coordinating positions with the Ohio Bobcats to become an offensive quality control assistant with the Jaguars.

An Ohio alumnus, Tettleton played quarterback for the Bobcats from 2009-13. He holds the program’s all-time passing records, career and single-season, for yards (9,125 and 3,302) and touchdowns (67 and 28).

Before his return to Ohio, Tettleton served as an offensive analyst for the LSU Tigers in 2020, an offensive quality control coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, a scouting assistant with the New York Jets in 2018 and a graduate assistant with the Oklahoma Sooners from 2015-17.

Tettleton operated as an assistant running backs coach in his first season with the Jaguars before moving to assistant wide receivers coach ahead of the 2023 campaign.

“It’ll be a good opportunity for him these next couple of weeks to really have a position group and then coach them and lead those guys,” Pederson expressed.

The Jaguars hired Mack away from the same role at the University of Tennessee in February, to replace Bernie Parmalee, who was among nine Jacksonville coaching assistants fired following the 2023 season.

After finishing No. 30 in the NFL in yards per rush (3.6) and No. 24 in yards per game (96.8) in 2023, the Jaguars rank No. 12 (4.5) and No. 25 (101.3) in those respective categories through Week 13 this season.

Jacksonville’s primary running backs, Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby, have combined to rush for 918 yards and six touchdowns over 197 carries.

“Let me just say with Jerry, appreciate what he did with that running back room,” said Pederson.

“[Mack] did a great job coming in and getting those guys prepared each week and wish him nothing but the best. This will be a great opportunity for Jerry to be a head coach again in college football and get that program going, and excited to watch him there.”

Jaguars officially eliminated from 2024-25 postseason contention

Jaguars officially eliminated from 2024-25 postseason contention

The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) were eliminated from 2024-25 postseason contention Monday night.

Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans (8-5) on Sunday was the first of three dominoes to fall in officially knocking the Jaguars out of the running in Week 13.

The Los Angeles Chargers’ (8-4) Sunday evening win over the Atlanta Falcons (6-6) and the Denver Broncos’ (8-5) Monday night victory over the Cleveland Browns (3-9) sealed the Jaguars’ fate.

The Jaguars are tied with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants for the worst record in the NFL this season, sitting at 2-10 through Week 13. Each team has been eliminated from the playoffs, and so have the New England Patriots (3-10).

With a strength of schedule tiebreaker, Jacksonville currently owns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, according to Tankathon.

Jacksonville’s 2024 season will wrap up with alternating away and home matchups over its final five weeks, with matchups against the Tennessee Titans (3-9) in Weeks 14 and 17, the New York Jets (3-9) in Week 15, the Raiders in Week 16 and the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) in Week 18.

Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair suspended for hit on Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence

Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair suspended for hit on Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence

The NFL issued Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair a three-game suspension without pay on Tuesday for his illegal hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston in Week 13, citing “repeated violations of rules intended to protect the health and safety of players and promote sportsmanship.”

Al-Shaair launched at Lawrence in the head and neck area as he slid to conclude a six-yard rush in the second quarter, leveling the quarterback. Lawrence was removed from the game on a cart and entered the NFL’s concussion protocol shortly thereafter.

Al-Shaair was penalized for unnecessary roughness and ejected from the game. The same was true for Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones, who threw a punch at a Texans player as fighting ensued between the teams.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued Al-Shaair’s suspension and wrote him the following letter, which the NFL published.

“During your game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 1, with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules. Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide…You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”

“After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask. After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL…Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”

Al-Shaair will be eligible to return to Houston’s active roster in Week 18. He intends to appeal the suspension, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Pederson updates injuries to Jacksonville Jaguars DBs Campbell, Savage

Pederson updates injuries to Jaguars DBs Campbell, Savage

Jaguars starting defensive backs, cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Darnell Savage Jr., enter Week 14 “day-to-day” after suffering injuries in Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, head coach Doug Pederson revealed Monday.

Campbell exited the game early in the third quarter after an incomplete pass from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to running back Joe Mixon, with what Pederson called a quadriceps injury.

Savage was briefly sidelined later in the third quarter after hurting his ankle amid a three-yard rush by Mixon. He returned to action early in the fourth quarter.

“Savage, ankle, returned to play. Should be fine. Going to be day-to-day. Tyson’s the same thing, Tyson’s going to be day-to-day with his quad,” Pederson said.

Campbell entered the matchup with a shoulder injury that kept him limited in practice throughout Week 13. He missed five games earlier this season, Weeks 2-6, with a hurt hamstring.

Campbell has recorded 34 total tackles with two for loss and two defended passes in seven starts this season.

A quadriceps injury prevented Savage from playing in Weeks 2-4. He has logged 34 total tackles with one for loss, one interception and four defended passes in nine starts throughout his first season with the Jaguars.

Jaguars snap counts and splits vs. Texans

Jaguars snap counts and splits vs. Texans

Find Jacksonville’s team-wide snap counts and playing time splits from its Week 13, 23-20 loss against Houston below.

Jaguars offense

From left, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) is tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) as cornerback Jeff Okudah (11) looks on during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
OT Anton Harrison: 70 (100%)

OG Ezra Cleveland: 70 (100%)

OT Walker Little: 70 (100%)

C Mitch Morse: 70 (100%)

OG Brandon Scherff: 70 (100%)

WR Brian Thomas Jr.: 61 (87%)

WR Parker Washington: 56 (80%)

QB Mac Jones: 51 (73%)

TE Evan Engram: 50 (71%)

WR Devin Duvernay: 40 (57%)

RB Travis Etienne Jr.: 37 (53%)

RB Tank Bigsby: 32 (46%)

TE Brenton Strange: 29 (41%)

TE Luke Farrell: 20 (29%)

QB Trevor Lawrence: 19 (27%)

WR Tim Jones: 18 (26%)

WR Elijah Cooks: 7 (10%)

Jaguars defense

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) scores a touchdown breaking from Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) and defensive tackle Tyler Lacy (93) during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Texans held off the Jaguars 23-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
S Darnell Savage Jr.: 58 (92%)

LB Foyesade Oluokun: 57 (90%)

DE Josh Hines-Allen: 55 (87%)

DE Travon Walker: 51 (81%)

S Andre Cisco: 51 (81%)

CB Ronald Darby: 47 (75%)

LB Devin Lloyd: 45 (71%)

CB Monatric Brown: 44 (70%)

DT Maason Smith: 39 (62%)

S Antonio Johnson: 37 (59%)

CB Tyson Campbell: 35 (56%)

DT DaVon Hamilton: 31 (49%)

DE Arik Armstead: 30 (48%)

LB Ventrell Miller: 29 (46%)

DT Jeremiah Ledbetter: 24 (38%)

DT Tyler Lacy: 24 (38%)

CB Jarrian Jones: 19 (30%)

DE Myles Cole: 13 (21%)

S Andrew Wingard: 4 (6%)

Jaguars special teams

Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (15) kicks a field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

S Daniel Thomas: 24 (89%)

LB Caleb Johnson: 24 (89%)

LB Chad Muma: 24 (89%)

WR Tim Jones: 19 (70%)

TE Brenton Strange: 18 (67%)

LB Ventrell Miller: 15 (56%)

TE Josiah Deguara: 15 (56%)

CB Montaric Brown: 14 (52%)

S Antonio Johnson: 14 (52%)

WR Devin Duvernay: 10 (37%)

TE Luke Farrell: 10 (37%)

RB Keilan Robinson: 10 (37%)

K Cam Little: 8 (30%)

P Logan Cooke: 7 (26%)

LS Ross Matiscik: 7 (26%)

LB Foyesade Oluokun: 5 (19%)

DE Josh Hines-Allen: 5 (19%)

DE Travon Walker: 5 (19%)

CB Ronald Darby: 5 (19%)

DT DaVon Hamilton: 5 (19%)

DT Jeremiah Ledbetter: 5 (19%)

WR Elijah Cooks: 4 (15%)

LB Devin Lloyd: 4 (15%)

OT Anton Harrison: 3 (11%)

OG Ezra Cleveland: 3 (11%)

OT Walker Little: 3 (11%)

DT Tyler Lacy: 3 (11%)

C Luke Fortner: 3 (11%)

OT Cole Van Lanen: 3 (11%)

OG Blake Hance: 3 (11%)

Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair address illegal hit

Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair address illegal hit

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair addressed the concussion-inducing, illegal hit the latter delivered the former in Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday.

Lawrence was removed from the game in the second quarter after Al-Shaair launched and hit him in the head and neck area as the quarterback slid to conclude a six-yard rush, which led the Jaguars and Texans’ benches to clear and multiple skirmishes to ensue.

On Sunday evening, Lawrence revealed he was home and improving after entering the NFL’s concussion protocol.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me. I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all,” Lawrence said via X/Twitter.

Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and penalized for unnecessary roughness following the strike. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram and cornerback Jarrian Jones received personal foul penalties for retaliatory actions amid the brawling; Jones was disqualified for throwing a punch at a player.

Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence, addressed the quarterback’s teammates and condemned discriminating personal attacks he described experiencing in the aftermath of the play in a Monday morning post.

“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that. My goal is to hit you as hard as I can then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play. And when the game is over go home to your family unharmed because it’s not personal it’s just competition! We both are trying to do the same thing which is provide for our families!” Al-Shaair wrote.

“I genuinely didn’t see [Lawrence] sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening. Before the game we spoke and I told you how it was great to see you back out on the field and wished you well. I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them especially one that’s deemed ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.’

“To the rest of his teammates I can definitely understand you having his back and defending him in a situation like that. To the rest of the people who I’ve been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their [villain] to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you don’t know my heart nor my character which I don’t need to prove to any of you. God knows my intentions and anyone who has ever been a teammate or friend of mine knows my heart.”

Referee Land Clark and the game’s officiating crew determined additional penalties were not warranted for Al-Shaair’s actions following his ejection, per the game’s pool report.

Al-Shaair removed his helmet and jarred with multiple Jaguars, including offensive lineman Brandon Scherff and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., while being escorted from the field by teammates.

A fan threw a water bottle toward Al-Shaair and hit Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. in the head as they approached Houston’s locker room tunnel, prompting a heated response from Al-Shaair. The fan was reportedly later removed from the game.

The NFL had yet to issue further discipline for Al-Shaair’s tackle or the fighting between the Jaguars and Texans that followed at press time.

Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ 23-20 loss to Texans

Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ 23-20 loss to Texans

Despite losing starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a concussion suffered on a dirty hit, the Jaguars nearly pulled off a comeback at home against the Texans on Sunday, only to drop their 10th game of the 2024 season, 23-20.

Find everything Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after Jacksonville’s latest loss below.

On QB Trevor Lawrence’s injury and if Pederson was able to talk to him postgame:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I haven’t talked to the docs yet. I did see him at halftime. He was moving around and everything. We’ll be fine. He’ll obviously go into the protocol. I haven’t talked to him here after the game yet.”

On where the hit that Lawrence took ranks for Pederson in terms of “dirty” hits:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Well, look, it’s a play that nobody wants to see in our league obviously because you see what happens after the fact and it just escalates. I’ve got a lot of respect for Coach Ryans [Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans]. I know he doesn’t coach his team that way. We don’t coach our team that way. It’s unfortunate, it really is. It’s unfortunate. I’m just glad that Trevor’s going to be fine. He’ll obviously be in the protocol, but it just is an unfortunate play.”

On if Pederson has thought about shutting Lawrence down for the season:

DOUG PEDERSON: “It’s 30 minutes after the game, so I haven’t thought about that.”

On Jaguars running back coach Jerry Mack taking a head coaching job at Kennesaw State University:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I’m excited for Jerry. It’s a great opportunity for him to become a head coach in college football at Kennesaw State. I just thank Jerry for what he’s done here. He’s really changed that running back room and has done some really good things for us. Wish him well. I’m excited. I’m excited for him to be able to watch him continue his career as a head coach now.”

On if it was difficult to decided whether to go for the onside kick or not at the end of the game:

DOUG PEDERSON: “It obviously was a thought to do that, but we still had a couple of timeouts and still had some time left on the clock. Just the decision to go deep and put our defense back out there and try to get one more stop. We talked about it quickly, but we elected to kick it deep.”

On what it was like watching Lawrence go down after the big hit:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I was excited for Trevor to get back out there and start for our team and lead our football team this week. That was always the goal was we’ll shoot for the Houston game and get him back out there. Again, it’s unfortunate. It’s a play that really has no business being in our league. I thought the officials did a great job of doing the best they could to get control of it and all of that. Again, getting Trevor in a comfortable situation, getting him back out there, trying to get some momentum on offense, and obviously that happens. It takes a little wind out of your sails, but on the flip side of that too, Mac came in and got us back in the football game. So proud of that too.”

On if the aftermath of the hit was just a byproduct of what happened:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, you see it at every level of football, right? When the quarterback gets hit at that magnitude, it just escalates. Obviously, Jarrian [CB Jarrian Jones] on our side, he can’t do what he did either. That’s unacceptable as well. I know the league will probably send out fines for both players and maybe some others. Again, when you see that, yes, it does. Plus, it’s a division game. It’s a division game, and it’s an emotional football game as it is, but at the same time, you have to be the bigger person. You’ve got to be the bigger man in situations like that. Just fortunate that nobody else was ejected from the game.”

On not being able to get off the field on third down:

DOUG PEDERSON: “As a player, number one, you’ve got to understand the situation. Schematically, we look at it as coaches and make sure we’re putting our players in situations to be successful. Obviously, we’ll take a look at the tape tomorrow, and I’ll have probably a better answer for you tomorrow on this. Just knowing and understanding the situation, yeah, you do everything you can to try to get off the field. Give credit to Houston for executing that play and staying on the field.”

On Jaguars offensive lineman Walker Little getting a contract extension today:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Excited for Walker. It’s a great opportunity for him. I think it just shows the commitment the organization has and the type of player that he is to really get him locked up.  I think for him too it’s a little peace of mind knowing he’ll be here for the long haul. Excited for him and his family. It’s a great opportunity, great for the organization obviously and our team, and excited for him.”

Jaguars fall to Texans 23-20, lose QB Trevor Lawrence to concussion

Jaguars fall to Texans 23-20, lose QB Trevor Lawrence to concussion

The Texans (8-5) completed their 2024 season sweep of the Jaguars (2-10) in Week 13, securing a 23-20 victory in Jacksonville on Sunday after previously beating their divisional opponent 24-20 in Houston during Week 4.

What started as a sluggish, low-scoring affair became intense as halftime approached, when Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence took a dirty hit from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to conclude a six-yard scramble. Lawrence was carted off the field and quickly ruled out of the game with a concussion.

Al-Shaair and a pair of Jaguars, tight end Evan Engram and cornerback Jarrian Jones, received personal foul penalties for their actions after Jacksonville and Houston’s benches cleared and the teams began fighting, following the tackle. Al-Shaair and Jones were ejected from the contest.

“It’s a play that nobody wants to see in our league. You see what happens after the fact and it just escalates,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after the game.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for [Texans head] coach [DeMeco] Ryans. I know he doesn’t coach his team that way and we don’t coach our team that way. It’s unfortunate, it really is. It’s unfortunate.”

Pederson said Lawrence, who returned to action Sunday after missing Jacksonville’s last two games with a non-throwing shoulder injury, will enter the NFL’s concussion protocol but is expected to be “fine.” Pederson did not offer an anticipated recovery timeline.

Without Lawrence, the Jaguars took a 6-3 deficit into the locker room at halftime, their only score being a 33-yard field goal by rookie kicker Cam Little after Lawrence got hurt.

Little then tied the game early in the third quarter with a 30-yard field goal, before the Texans scored on three consecutive drives, two touchdowns and a field goal squeezed in between. Little missed a third field goal try, from 55 yards, amid Houston’s scoring run.

Yet Jacksonville made things interesting in the fourth quarter, narrowing Houston’s lead from 23-6 to 23-20 over the Jaguars’ final two possessions.

Backup quarterback Mac Jones led the Jaguars on two extended drives, a 12-play, 72-yard possession and a 10-play, 84-yard sequence, tossed touchdowns to Jacksonville wide receivers Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr., and connected with Washington for a two-point conversion to get back within one score.

Jones completed 20-of-32 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns in place of Lawrence against Houston.

Houston got the ball back with 3:31 left in regulation, and the Texans put the ball in running back Joe Mixon’s hands on five consecutive plays to try to seal the win. He converted two first downs and forced the Jaguars to burn through their remaining timeouts, effectively running the clock out.

The Jaguars will travel to Tennessee in Week 14 to face the Titans (3-9) at 1 p.m. ET next Sunday, Dec. 8.

Jaguars assistant takes college HC job

Jaguars assistant takes college HC job

Kennesaw State is hiring Jacksonville Jaguars running backs coach Jerry Mack as the program’s new head coach, the university announced Sunday.

Kennesaw State announced Mack’s hiring during Jacksonville’s Week 13 home matchup with the Houston Texans, while Mack was actively coaching the Jaguars’ running backs at EverBank Stadium.

Mack joined the Jaguars this offseason after spending three seasons as the running backs coach for the University of Tennessee, replacing the dismissed Bernie Parmalee in the role. He has four seasons of head coaching experience at the FCS level with North Carolina Central from 2014-17, where he went 31-15.

Through Week 12 this season, the Jaguars ranked No. 11 in the NFL in yards per rushing attempt with 4.5 and No. 25 in rushing yards per game with 101.6.

Jacksonville’s leading rushers, Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr., had rushed for 519 yards and four touchdowns and 325 yards and two touchdowns, respectively.

Mack will succeed Brian Bohannon, the first head football coach in Kennesaw State history, in leading the Owls. Bohannon went 72-38 in 10 seasons with the team.

Benches clear in Jaguars vs. Texans after big hit on Trevor Lawrence

Benches clear in Jaguars vs. Texans after big hit on Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars and Texans’ benches cleared after Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair laid a huge hit on Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he slid to conclude a six-yard run in the second quarter, leading to an extended skirmish between the teams.

Lawrence was ruled out of the game with a concussion by the Jaguars just before halftime.

Jacksonville tight end Evan Engram flew in to defend Lawrence and take on Al-Shaair after the tackle, resulting in a mass of Jaguars and Texans fighting and arguing while Lawrence was attended to by medical staff. He was eventually carted off the field.

Al-Shaair, Engram and Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones received personal foul penalties for their conduct, which offset. Al-Shaair and Jones were ejected from the game.

Al-Shaair continued to mouth off at Jaguars players, including left guard Brandon Scherff and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., as he was escorted off the field, prolonging the scuffle as players from both teams swarmed to diffuse the situation.

Sunday marked Lawrence’s return to play after missing Jacksonville’s last two games with an AC joint sprain in his left, non-throwing shoulder.

Mac Jones took over at quarterback for the Jaguars with Lawrence ruled out.

This is a breaking news story that will be updated.